Amritsar, Dec 8— The Akal Takht on Monday pronounced ‘tankhah’ against four individuals — Guru Nanak Dev University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Karamjit Singh, senior Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, Punjab Language Department director Jaswant Singh, and Sikh preacher Harinder Singh — for separate acts deemed offensive to Sikh principles.
Dr. Karamjit Singh faced action after a video surfaced linking Guru Nanak Dev’s philosophy to “Vedanta” during a programme attended by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. “I apologise for the remarks and accept the Panth’s decision,” he said. The controversy earlier prompted the SGPC to remove him from a key panel drafting rules for the appointment and removal of the Akal Takht Jathedar.
Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha was punished for derogatory remarks against Jathedars and for recording audio without permission. Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj said Valtoha must perform service for a set number of days at the Golden Temple, Darbar Sahib in Tarn Taran, and Takht Damdama Sahib. The Shiromani Akali Dal’s 10-year ban on him, imposed last year, has since been lifted.
Punjab Language Department director Jaswant Singh accepted responsibility for allowing dance and music at a Srinagar event marking the 350th birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur. “The government planned it well, but the execution fell short,” he told the Takht.
Sikh preacher Harinder Singh was also penalised for making disrespectful comments about a Sikh Guru.
All four have been instructed by the Panj Singh Sahibans to undertake seva — washing utensils in langar halls, cleaning shoes in joda ghars, and reading specified banis at major gurdwaras and Sikh Takhts.
